chapter six
change of plans

—

I THOUGHT by now, I wouldn't be alive anymore. I was hoping that when Kallisto decided to kill me, I'd go back to my world, but things never went to any of my expectations. Parang hindi nangyari 'yong pagkikita namin ni Kallisto no'ng nakaraan. It had been two days since, and there was no word from him.

Kaya ayon, kahit papaano humaba 'yong buhay ko nang hindi ko inaasahan. Things remained the same, so I acted the same. I still greet and say little things to the maids that went in and out of here.

I tried extracting some information from stepmother about Kallisto, but of course, she remained cold-hearted to me. Para tuloy siyang robot kapag kaharap ako. I actually felt so lost in some way.

The people who transmigrated in different novels that I read had a lot of progress already by now. But I couldn't seem to be like them at all. Truthfully, I felt dumb. I know that I wasn't really an intelligent person, but right now, I felt like I was the dumbest person to ever transmigrate.

Feeling ko talaga nasa akin na 'yong medalya. Kainis, hindi naman 'yon 'yong medal na gusto ko. Hmp! Choosy pa ba? Bilang na nga natitirang mga araw ko.

"Hmmngh!" Napalingon ako kay Yule no'ng marinig ko ang mahinang ungot nito. I just pouted at him. He was really a genius. I envy him. Everything I was teaching him was being absorbed by him so fast.

Nakakagawa na siya ng shield ngayon na mas malakas kesa no'ng una niyang ginawa 'yon. He could even concentrate his mana to different parts of his body already, and he just kept improving.

Whenever I see Yule, I feel a strong sense that I should really survive with whatever it takes. I might not be in my real world, but I was still breathing, thus, even in here, I wanted to start again.

I might have Portia's face and body, but I could still show that I could be Evienne. And I already started by acting different from her. Also, I was already in the Seventh Kingdom, I could convince Kallisto, I might be able to live in peace here.

Before, I was hung-up in going back to my world, but now, if I'd be here until the end, then I wanted to live how I wanted.

'Yong mga hindi ko nagawa sa mundo ko, gusto kong gawin dito.

And the thing that I wanted the most?

Money. Treasure. Wealth.

Well, marami 'yong tatay ko sa mundo ko no'n, pero hindi akin 'yon.

And one thing I realized about it, was money would literally solve ninety-nine percent of my problems!

Tsaka, aba! Nandito ka na rin naman, maging mayaman na rin tayo! Lalong-lalo na marami akong alam na mga nakabaon na kayaman dito.

"Mouhahaha!" I laughed just thinking about looting all the hidden treasures in this world.

Pasensya ka na Juno, mukhang kailangan kitang unahan sa pag-discover mo ng mga bagay na ikakayaman mo sana. You already have Azazel, and the Elysia's support.

I call dibs, Juno, hehehe.

But before I could get all those richness, and become a really well-off person who'd go to a different continent for peace and rest, I needed to convince Kallisto first to let me live.

Pakiramdam ko sumakit ang ulo dahil do'n. If I wanted a deal with him, how? There was really nothing I could offer. Portia wasn't really close to the other Celestes, so I couldn't really recommend him to anyone—wait! I could! There was one person!

I smiled to myself remembering the face of the Celeste that became the Queen of the Seventh Kingdom, when Kallisto was its reigning King—in my novel.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pumayag ang naging Celeste ni Kallisto noon, dahil wala talagang may gusto maging Celeste niya kasi nga binansagan siyang 'weakest abyss'. And Celestes were spoiled-brats, prideful, and pretentious beings.

Well, I couldn't blame them, they were raised and educated that way, because they were the future Queens and if not, they assume higher noble positions, be it some leaders on the socialite world, or duchesses, marquess, and other positions that were regarded high.

Juno and less than ten people were the only exception to those kinds.

And that Celeste that became Kallisto's Queen was also a kind one.

I could offer that to him in return to save me. For Abyss people like him, they were desperate for it, because only then they could escape the pain and the curse. And Kallisto was also a Second Prince, thus, no Celeste would be willing, besides his original Celeste in the novel.

Kung noon ngang King na siya ayaw pa rin no'ng mga 'yon maliban sa kanya, kaya paniguradong malaki ang chance na pagbigyan ako ni Kallisto sa magiging deal na 'to.

Ang problema ko lang, kung papayag ang Celeste na 'yon. It was still too early for her to meet Kallisto. And I might really mess up if that Celeste wasn't willing right now.

Grabe! Ang nakukuha ko lang talaga yata sa mundong 'to ay puro sakit ng ulo.

One year worth na ng pag-iisip 'yong ginagawa ko rito, kahit halos dalawang linggo pa lang naman ako sa lugar na 'to.

Napabuntonghininga na lang ako at naramdaman kong tinapik ni Yule ang kamay ko. I glimpsed at him, and he looked like he was concerned why I stopped smiling and only looked so down.

I chuckled at him. Weird. He wasn't really speaking but I really feel like I could accurately communicate with him. Why is that?

I concentrated again with Yule and meditate. It clears my mind that was tangled with problems. Kahit papaano gumaan ang pakiramdam ko at nilagay ni Yule ang paw niya sa ibabaw ng kamay ko at umupoo sa lap ko, habang nakaupo ako sa kama.

I've been trying to focus more because I wanted to experience the waters again. I might not go back to my world, but I wanted to know about that place that seemed like a horizon. Why did I see that?

I feel like it was connected to the reason why I ended up as Portia.

Habang ginagawa namin ni Yule 'yong training namin, biglang umalis si Yule sa lap ko kaya naman napamulat ako at tinigil ang ginagawa. Yule was quick to hide before the door in this room could open.

"Hello," I greeted the maids when they entered.

They just bowed at me, and I stood up from the bed and went to the table. Naks! Finally, hindi nila ako aabutan sa nakakahiyang posisyon o ginagawa. I went to the table and they put down the foods.

"How are you?" I asked them.

"We were all fine, Lady Baudelaire."

"Hey, I told you to stop calling me that, I'm fine with Eve," nakangiting sabi ko sa kanila. They humbled themselves, and I sighed.

"I thought I'm your Lady? Why are you not granting me this simple request, hmm?" I even gave them some puppy eyes as I blinked to make them stop calling me Lady Baudelaire. They all stiffened because they were caught off guard with what I said.

"Should I order that I should be called Lady Eve, instead of asking sincerely?" dagdag ko pa. Now, that I was determined to live and survive here, I really wanted to feel that I was still Evienne even with Portia's face, so I was desperate for a recognition, at least.

"Hey, I was kidding!" I laughed softly because they all looked constipated.

Saktong dumating na rin si stepmother kaya mas lumawak ang ngiti ko. "Hello, Miss Mildred!" Kumaway pa ako sa kanya na parang bata at nakita ko naman ang slight na pagsasalubong ng kilay niya.

After a long time, I finally learned her name! Hindi ko nga akalain na sasabihin niya 'yon no'ng tanungin ko. Kasi kada napasok siya rito pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin ni Kallisto, palagi ko siyang tinatanong ano'ng itatawag ko sa kanya, at no'ng nakulitan at narindi yata sa akin sinabi na rin sa wakas ang pangalan niya.

I know that I should just call her Mildred, and not Miss Mildred, but it was really awkward for me since she was older than me, so I just went with what would smoothly roll out of my tongue.

The other maids went out after placing all the foods in the table and stepmother bowed at me before speaking.

"The Second Prince will come in here later to talk to you Lady Baudelaire." Kakain na sana ako nang may ngiti sa mga labi, kaso bigla akong natigilan at naibaba ko 'yong knife at fork dahil do'n.

"Pardon?"

"The Second Prince would like to converse with you at the evening, Lady Baudelaire." Napalunok ako nang wala sa oras dahil do'n.

Looked like my impending doom was here.

I was starting to panic inside.

What should I tell him to convince him to keep me alive?

Kumain ako nang wala sa sarili at nag-iisip kung paano lusutan ang lahat nang 'to. Buti pa si Jerry sa Tom and Jerry ang dali makalusot kay Tom. Ako kaya kailan?

Kung hindi ko ma-convince na bagong buhay na ako si Kallisto at ipapatay niya talaga ako? Magdadasal na ba talaga ako para makabalik sa mundo ko nang buhay?

My head was spinning from everything so I just gulped all the food, and I didn't even notice how they cleaned up my table after I ate.

All I knew was I told them to be careful and to take care.

Those words, felt like for myself and not for them.

Yule went in after there were no one inside the room aside from me, and he looked so puzzled with my absentmindedness, but I just gave him fruits instead of smiling and talking like usual.

My heart was going to explode from the nervousness I was feeling.

Paano patagalin ang oras? May magic para do'n 'di ba? Pwede bang instant kong matutunan 'yon? Wala ba akong plot amor man lang? Wala bang tutulong sa akin na malampasan 'to?

Ngayon alam ko na paano maging zombie, kasi parang nag-transform ako ngayon do'n.

Parang nablanko 'yong utak ko. Alam ko naman puro kalokohan madalas laman ng utak ko kaya kahit mablanko 'yon, walang kwenta, pero iba pa rin 'yong pagiging tulala at pagiging kabado ko ngayon.

Hay... bakit ba kasi ako pinanganak na ang lakas ng will to live?

'Di ba pwedeng maging extra na lang ako na tanggap na magiging zombie na, sa Zombie Apocalypse? Why was I characterized to run away from them, even though I knew I'd trip? Slight lampa pa naman ako.

Jusko! Ano ba namang buhay at pagkatao 'to!

Pakiramdam ko tuloy naging character na talaga ako sa novel na sinulat ko at hindi na ako 'yong author no'n.

Para saan pa 'yong struggle ko i-complete 'yong novel na 'yon kung 'yong buhay ko hanggang dito na lang?

"Ugh! I hate my life!" I yelled and put my feet up to release frustration. Muntik na akong matumba sa upuan dahil do'n. Mukhang nagulat din si Yule kaya gumawa 'to nang ingay na parang nagulat na pusa.

He kept tapping his paw to my hand or cheek, but I just kept sighing.

"Yule, kapag nawala ako, ikaw lang yata makaka-miss sa akin. Dalhan mo ako ng bulaklak sa puntod ko ha?" huling pamamaalam ko sa kanya.

Nyak! Drama naman no'n.

Halos hindi tuloy maintindihan ang mukha ni Yule. He looked surprised, then sad, then angry. He sat and crossed his top arms and started to yap. It sounded like a meow, with a cute growl.

Natawa ako nang marahan sa ginagawa niya. It was like he was explaining things while getting upset with what I said to him. It seemed like he pouted at the end after moving his arms around and crossing it again.

"You'll be upset when I'm gone?" He nodded frantically with what I said.

"Then, you should get some revenge for me," I said mischievously, and he didn't get that it was just a joke so he nodded again with firmness.

He moved his hands again while snarling softly. It was like he was asking about what he should do to keep me safe. "Hmm..." Napaisip naman ako ro'n. Kung pwede lang akong itakas ni Yule rito, eh.

Wait... what if?

Nah, I felt like Kallisto would search the ends of this world just to find me again. I shivered thinking of it.

"Kalmutin mo lang ng isa si Kallisto, masaya na ako sa impyerno." I laughed and Yule brightened up when he saw me happy again.

Jusko, mukhang bababaw ang kaligayahan nitong si Yule dahil sa akin.

Saka magkaka-scar 'yong mukha ni Kallisto kagaya ro'n sa Fatebound no'ng una ko siyang makita sa panaginip. Mukhang mangyayari pa rin 'yon dito sa timeline na 'to kaso si Yule na ang may gawa.

Chos! Kung ano-ano na namang iniisip ko imbis na 'yong problema ko.

Pero kung tutuusin mukhang ako talaga 'yong problema.

"Ugh!" Napasabunot na lang ako sa buhok ko—este ni Portia.

I just helped Yule again about his flow, aura, and core power. He just kept improving. And as time passed, I was getting more agitated and I couldn't concentrate that much, and Yule was aware of it.

He kept trying to comfort me, but it didn't really calm me.

And just like that the night fell.

Sobrang kakaibang kaba ang nararamdaman ko. Kada may kaunting tunog akong naririnig kahit minsan imagination ko lang 'yon, napapatingin ako sa pinto nang namamawis ang mga kamay.

I wished that Kallisto would postpone it again like before. Sana hindi niya ulit ako siputin kaso malakas ang pakiramdam ko na hindi mangyayari 'yon.

After a while, Yule left, and that was my signal that someone was coming. I gulped and stood up. I paced back and forth. And the door opened. Parang horror movie sa paningin ko 'yon.

Mas gugustuhin ko na lang na si Sadako 'yong pumasok kesa kay Kallisto.

Pero laking pasasalamat ko na lang na none of the above 'yong nakita ko. Mga maid 'yon na may dala-dalang mga pagkain, kaya naman para akong binunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan.

"H-Hi," I greeted with a smile, but that smile was probably crooked because of my nerves.

They bowed and started to put the foods on the table. If it was like before, I'd be talkative to them, although they wouldn't answer. But right now, I couldn't even say any words to them. I was just tensed.

They also seemed a little wary of me, because of how I was acting.

"Are you feeling sick, Lady Baudelaire?" one of the maids asked, looking concerned.

Oo, pakiramdam ko magkakasakit ako 'tas rekta kamatayan pagkatapos. Gusto ko sanang isagot 'yon kaso biglang bumukas ulit 'yong pinto at muntik na akong matumba sa kinatatayuan ko sa takot.

"Oh, my gosh..." I murmured to myself as I held my chest.

It was not Kallisto, but stepmother. Still, I almost collapsed. Napahugot na lang ako ng hininga at saka nagsalita si stepmother sa harap ko.

"The Second Prince will join you for dinner."

"Ha?!"

Hindi ko maiwasan hindi mapasigaw kaya natigilan lahat ng maid na naghahanda ng pagkain ko at kumunot nang kaunti ang noo ni stepmother sa reaksyon ko. I gulped and tried to calm myself.

"Ha?—Bakit? Bakit niya ako sasabayan? May balak ba siyang lasunin ako?" I asked consecutively in distress.

"Mind your words, Lady Baudelaire." Halos pandilatan ako ng mga mata ni stepmother sa sinabi ko. Uh, naiintindihan nga pala nila kahit ano'ng sabihin ko. I face palmed and kept looking at the door, because that guy might come in anytime.

Para tuloy akong naiihi na gustong pumunta ng banyo.

"But why... I thought we'd only talk?"

"You can talk while having dinner, Lady Baudelaire."

Nanlumo kaagad ako sa narinig. Nawalan na ako ng gana kumain. Tawagin ko ba si Yule para ready na 'yong pangangalmot revenge ko?

Sa inaraw-araw ng buhay ko rito, 'yong pagiging baliw talaga 'yong role na pinakasakto sa akin. Kasi konti na lang talaga magiging totoo na 'yon at masisiraan na ako ng bait.

Stepmother guided me to my seat and looked like it was really true—that Kallisto would have dinner with me—because the amount of food in the table was enormous and more presentable. It wasn't like my ordinary dinner.

Just one glance at it, you'd know that the dinner was prepared for a well-loved royalty.

When I sat down, I was still pondering on what to say and what to do, but I wasn't able to do that, because the door of the room opened wide and Kallisto entered the room like he owned it.

All the servants bowed at him respectfully, and I stood up absentmindedly to bow at him with full of respect. Pakiramdam ko lalagnatin at matutumba ako ano mang oras. The air in the whole room was heavier than earlier.

The people were on their toes. That aura around him wasn't to be joked with. It was like the perfect day that you were enjoying was suddenly cut because of the clouds that covered the rays of the sun.

The servants that escorted Kallisto helped him sat down across from me. Hindi pa rin ako umupo at nanatiling nakatungo nang kaunti. I saw him sat down gracefully with his eyes never leaving mine.

Without thinking my head slowly raised up on its own to meet his stare directly.

That violet eyes were really gorgeous and seductive to look at. It was mystical and the more you see it, the more it seemed to reflect the galaxy. It wasn't your ordinary plain colour. It was like there were pieces of crystals, stars, and shine in it.

"Lady Baudelaire." Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. I wanted to say something but my voice didn't cooperate with me, it seemed like I lost it.

He signalled me to sit down, and I did while panicking. Halos malaglag ko 'yong mga utensil na nasa harap ko dahil do'n. He didn't say anything but just watched my movements. Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya.

My heart was beating so fast, and I could already hear it in my ears.

When I settled down, all the servants bowed down towards Kallisto and they went out respectfully. Huling lumabas si stepmother nang matapos nitong asikasuhin ang lalaking nasa harap ko.

Nang kami na lang dalawa, pakiramdam ko binagsakan ako ng langit at lupa.

Halos hindi na ako makahinga at makagalaw sa kinauupuan. At hindi niya rin inaalis ang pangingin niya sa akin. Lalamig na lang 'yong pagkain namin pero mukhang wala siyang balak kumain sa harap ko.

Sana hinayaan niya muna ako mag-dinner 'di ba?! E 'di busog niya sana akong bibitayin! Oh, letchon na letchon na sana ang peg ko no'n.

"Shall we eat?" he suddenly said in a calm voice.

Muntik na akong sinukin sa gulat do'n. My hand trembled on my lap, I couldn't bring myself to start eating. I'd end up with indigestion, even.

"I'm still... full..." hirap na hirap kong sagot at nakita ko ang pagtaas ng isang kilay niya dahil do'n. Napaiwas din kaagad ako ng tingin.

But then... a rumbling sound suddenly erupted from me. Shit! I might think I wasn't really hungry, but my stomach was saying otherwise!

"Oh, really?" Kallisto mocked, and I felt my face flushed in hue of red.

Goodness, puro kahihiyan na lang palagi ang nangyayari kapag kaharap ko 'to. Minsan gusto ko na lang isipin na siya 'yong kahihiyan, kesa ako. Kahit sa imagination ko man lang hindi ako 'yong kahiya-hiya.

Kallisto, then, took his utensils and started eating. Natakam tuloy ako kasi mukhang masarap talaga 'yong pagkain ngayon. Parang nag-level up 'yon eh. Halatang may favouritism 'yong chef, hmp!

Dahil kaunti na lang maglalaway na ako, kumain na rin ako kagaya niya.

I saw him smirked a little when he saw how I was suddenly brightening up with all the tasty foods.

Ugh, kahit anong sitwasyon talaga lumalabas 'yong pagiging food lover ko. Kainis.

Eh, tutal naman mukhang last supper ko na—naks, akala mo sinong holy. Erase! Joke lang 'yon, baka magka-minus points ako.

Pero tutal mukhang last dinner ko na 'to, lulubusin ko na. Kinapalan ko na 'yong mukha ko at saka kinuha 'yong mga gusto kong tikman na pagkain, nagpanggap na lang ako na wala si Kallisto sa harap ko.

Halos lumaki ang mga mata ko sa sarap no'ng mga nakahanda ngayon.

"Hmm!" I couldn't help but exclaim with how delish it was! Sana everyday ganito!

Kapag naka-survive ako rito, gusto ko na tuloy makasabay sa pagkain si Kallisto araw-araw para ganito ka-bongga mga pagkain!

Minsan naiisip ko talaga ang goal ko sa lugar na 'to ay makikain hindi maka-survive.

While I was eating with gusto, I suddenly raised my head to get some juice, but suddenly my eyes met Kallisto's. Muntik ko nang ibuga 'yong kinakain ko sa kanya, kasi mukhang kanina pa niya ako pinapanood kumain.

Nalunok ko tuloy nang wala sa oras lahat ng kinakain ko kaya nabilaukan ako.

"Coughed, coughed!" Oh, my god! I couldn't breathe!

Kallisto was alarmed when I was chocking and he grabbed his glass and gave it to me in panic. Kaagad kong ininom 'yon nang dire-diretso at nakahinga nang maluwag no'ng mawala 'yong bara sa lalamunan ko.

Jusko! Buti na lang inabot ni Kallisto 'yong inumin niya.

"Wooo, thank you!" I said as I swiped my invisible sweats on the forehead.

"Eat slowly, you'll not run out of food," he mentioned while shaking his head, and I nodded in embarrassment.

Akala ko kung ano-ano pang sasabihin niya sa akin, pero hinayaan niya lang akong kumain. He didn't even nitpick my etiquettes and just ate quietly. It was such a faze moment.

We ate like we were in our own world. But, he'd lift his eyes to me from time to time. And I just didn't mind him, because his gaze wasn't threatening, it was just purely amused.

I didn't want to ruin to mood, so I just acted how I used to.

Excited na excited din ako no'ng kunin ang cake. The flavour just melted inside my mouth and I couldn't help but close my eyes just to taste every bit of it! Woah! Even this was more delectable than the ones they served me!

Grabe 'yong upgrade ngayon, ah!

I felt like I'd dance on my sit with how tasty and wonderful every bit was. It was really one of a kind! I'd really like the one who made this cake to be my official pastier or baker once I escape this predicament.

After savouring the foods, every cell in my body screamed in satisfaction.

At mukhang do'n na rin ako nagising sa masayang panaginip ko kapiling ang masasarap na pagkain.

Halos panlamigan ako dahil sa pagkakatitig ni Kallisto sa akin. He seemed like he was done eating decades ago, and waited for me to finish without saying a word. I didn't know if I'd be thankful or I should prepare for my death.

Kallisto, then snapped his fingers, and like magic, after a few moments, the maids entered the room and cleaned the table and plates.

Hindi ko naman alam ang iisipin at gagawin nang pagkakataong 'yon. I was just desperate na kahit lumuhod pa gagawin ko, basta lang manatiling buhay. I'd just beg and say whatever to gain his favour.

At least... I tried my best to convince him, so if it ended in vain, I'd have no regrets.

Nang malinis at maging maayos 'yong table sa pag-itan naming dalawa, umalis na rin 'yong mga katulong matapos magbigay respeto kay Kallisto. Halos magwala naman ang lahat ng sistema sa katawan ko nang marinig kong magsarado 'yong pinto.

There was a long silence after.

I didn't dare to talk first.

And he was just gazing at me, while I was avoiding his eyes.

Mukhang binabasa niya 'yong sitwasyon, o di kaya nama'y tinitingnan ang gagawin ko.

The silence was so suffocating, it was like slowly counting down to my end. The only sound you'd hear was our breathing—his was placid, while mine was almost ragged in agitation.

Ilang saglit din bigla siyang umayos ng upo at marahang tumikhim.

"Lady Baudelaire..." he called.

"I'm giving you a chance to live."

"Please let me live!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang sabay kaming magsalita. The words he said were mixed with mine, so I wasn't really sure if what I heard was just delusion of mine or it was really his words.

"Seryoso?!" I exclaimed without thinking. "Hindi ko na kailangan magmakaawa? Bibigyan mo talaga ako ng chance? Walang bawian?!" dire-diretsong dagdag ko kahit hindi sigurado sa narinig. Syempre, na-excite ako nang slight kaya talagang tinodo ko na.

"What the hell?" His brows almost met in the middle.

"A-Are you seriously going to give me a chance to live?" hindi makapaniwalang paglilinaw ko.

"Are you seriously thinking that I'd just kill you?" He smirked and the glow on his purple eyes almost made me shrink down on my sit. His authority would really leave you breathless.

Damn, how could they call someone like this the weakest abyss?

"U-Uh... with the sin that I committed based on what you said, it is really a crime punishable by death..." I didn't want to admit it, but Portia really crossed the line with everything that she did. So, it was understandable that Kallisto treated me like a trash.

"So you are aware, huh?" Itinikom ko ang bibig ko dahil do'n.

"However, I am going to give you a chance to live and atone for it," kibit-balikat na sabi niya.

"In exchange of?" I mentioned in a small wary voice.

A chance to live.

It wasn't a light thing to say. And with Kallisto's personality, I knew he wouldn't just say it if the venture wasn't as heavy as the gain.

Like they said, high risk, high return.

He smirked at me and his purple eyes shined in amusement. He stood up and went to the sofa. He sat there and crossed his legs. Kahit hindi niya sabihin alam kong pinapasunod niya ako ro'n.

I went there, too, and sat across of him after bowing politely. I was a paper that was flipped on its back side on the table. Looked like stepmother placed it in there earlier. Everything was really ready, huh? I couldn't help but think.

"What if... I don't agree to it?" tanong ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa papel sa ibabaw ng mesa.

"Simple. Your death." Geez! Mukhang no choice 'yon, ah?

I inhaled a huge amount of air, and clasped my hands together as I straightened my back.

I already decided to do whatever it takes to live, so there was no use in refusing a chance like this.

"What do I need to do for me to stay alive?"

Instead of answering he pointed out the paper. I gulped in restlessness as I reached out my hand to get the paper. Pinanood niya lang ako nang masinsinan sa ginagawa ko. Pumikit muna ako nang mariin bago tingnan ang nakasulat do'n.

Nang imulat ang mga mata kaagad sumalubong sa akin ang mga salitang nakapagpatindig at nakapagpasigaw sa akin.

"MARRIAGE?!"

He only smirked at me and tilted his head to the side. He wasn't appalled at all with my reaction, it even looked like he was expecting such a thing.

"Marriage between you and me?!" ulit ko pa nang hindi makapaniwala at itinuro ang sarili at saka siya.

"'Di ba uso dito ang boyfriend at girlfriend muna?! Grabe sa shortcut!?" I exclaimed while fanning myself with the other hand that was not holding the paper.

"Why?! Mahal mo na ako?! Hala, kailan ka na-love at first sight sa akin?!" I added and shrieked implausibly, and that was when his confident and arrogant face started to show annoyance.

"What the hell?"

"Kung maka-what the hell ka parang hindi ikaw nag-propose nitong kasal ah?" bulong ko sa sarili ko at mukhang hindi nakatakas sa tainga niya 'yon kaya halos magsalubong na lalo ang mga kilay niya.

"But why the hell marriage?! Why do I need to get married to you? And why the heck would you want me to marry you when you considered me as a murderer?!" Halos habulin ko na ang hininga ko sa pagtatanong no'n sa kanya.

Instead of being swayed by my emotions, he composed himself and remained calm. He even glared at me, and I stopped my overreaction and slowly sat down. Tingin pa lang niya pakiramdam ko pwede na niya putulin ang hininga ko.

"Simple. I'm an abyss, you are a celeste. So, the only thing that would keep you alive right now is that when you become my wife."

With his answer, I knew he needed something certain and unbending.

If I suggested that I would stay by his side, without needing the marriage, I was sure he'd say that I could still escape him.

Syempre, Celeste pa rin si Portia. At kukunin at kukunin siya ng Elysia, lalo na ng Shrine kasi wala siyang opisyal na posisyon kasama ang isang Abyss.

Slight madamot pa naman ang Shrine pagdating sa mga Celeste, dahil nga kakaunti lang ang mga gano'ng lahi.

Celestes were the great pride of the Shrine, after all.

Hindi pwedeng wala silang titulo, lalo na kapag involved sila sa Abyss. Kasi kapag wala no'n, para kang nagtrabaho ng walang bayad.

And even if Kallisto were to put me in a spell that would endanger my life if I stay away from him, the Saint of the Shrine could easily counter it. Para wala nang bisa.

It might also become such a huge political issue. It might be seen that the Seventh Kingdom was declaring a war with Elysia.

So... marriage was really the most advantageous and safest thing to get me to stay by his side, as his Celeste, without much risk for him and the Seventh Kingdom.

Lalo na kapag kasal nga, kahit kunin pa ako ng Shrine hindi rin kaagad magiging gano'n kadali 'yon dahil pwede rin 'yong makita na ang Elysia naman ang gustong kalabanin ang Seventh Kingdom.

And the Shrine wouldn't be able to do anything if it was the Celeste that agreed to the marriage or position.

Celetes were that powerful.

And... Damn, Kallisto.

Truly the wise and cunning man that he was.

After thinking and fidgeting... I glanced at his eyes that glimmered beautifully yet menacingly.

With that... I knew there was no choice but to accept it.

And with the turn of events, I knew that there was going to be a change of plan, because survival and wealth was now in front of my eyes and within my reach.

Kallisto Artem St. Auclain's wife and celeste... it doesn't sound that bad.

—

ツ